title: [Should dabigatran or vitamin K antagonists be used in prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation?].
abstract: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk of stroke are not always anticoagulated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) despite lack of contraindication. Dabigatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, is a new option with proven safety and effectiveness in these patients. The advantages of dabigatran are its more predictable response, obviating coagulation monitoring and possible lower frequency of bleedings. Its drawbacks are cost, lack of antidote and long-term data, frequency of dyspepsia and the twice daily dosage.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Ciudad de Coria, Coria, Cáceres, España. jm.calvo@orangemail.es
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Calvo Romero
mesh_terms: D000074:Acenocoumarol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069604:Dabigatran; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D015091:beta-Alanine; D014812:Vitamin K; D000069604:Dabigatran; D000074:Acenocoumarol